Fortunately, he and his family still have a full month and a half ("Race week" is March 14-17, 2007) until the waving green flag sends the drivers racing for the finish line.
""I'm very late this year," Villone, of Sebring, said.
He rolled his recreational vehicle onto the staging grounds between the track entrance and Haywood Taylor Boulevard about 8:30 a.m. Thursday (1 Feb 2007), two weeks later than last year.
For the next six weeks, Villone, his girlfriend Colleen Holzer and son James Villone will keep watch over the grounds in anticipation of the March 1 arrival of party hardened fans from across the country and around the world.
The Villones had their first visitors Thursday afternoon, Cheryl Payne and Marty Hooper, both of Lake Placid - the responsible consumption of adult beverages has begun.
"You'd be surprised how many people come out and visit us," Joe Villone said.
One such guest was Travis O'Bannon, promotions manager for Sebring International Raceway.
O'Bannon will see to it that the Villones receive track and RV passes, an official poster and program and two four-day "super pass" tickets.
The price of being numero uno?
The Villones must keep their temporary camp manned or womanned until the gates open on 6:30 a.m. March 14, when they get the first pick for their permanent camp during race week.
Joe Villone & Colleen Holzer will be the primary overnight occupants as James Villone doesn't have the luxury of not reporting for work.
"This is my vacation," Joe Villone said, explaining that his flexible schedule stems from his rental property.
Villone has been a regular attendee for about 25 years. He's been the first fan for the better part of the last 10 years.
What does he do while he waits for the races to begin?
"We hang out," Villone said. "Friends come to visit, we barbecue."
And, he works, just a little.
"Part of my job is to line up the other campers," he said, indicating that acreage around him will fill up by opening day. "Make sure there's enough room between the rows."
